DUBLIN, Ohio, July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cardinal Health today announced the appointment of Patricia Morrison as chief information officer (CIO), effective Aug. 3.

Morrison, 50, will be responsible for the company's enterprise-wide information technology infrastructure and will work to enhance the infrastructure to support Cardinal Health's strategic business needs. She will report to George Barrett, who will become chairman and chief executive officer of Cardinal Health following the planned spinoff of its clinical and medical products businesses.

Morrison has served as CIO at Motorola, Inc., where she oversaw all strategic, operational and functional aspects of the company's information technology in 140 countries. Her previous experience also includes CIO of Office Depot, Inc.; and senior-level information technology positions at General Electric Co., PepsiCo, Inc., The Procter & Gamble Co. and The Quaker Oats Co.

Morrison is replacing Jody Davids, who decided to step away from the CIO role to take time off to pursue personal interests.

"We're very pleased to have someone of Patricia's caliber joining the Cardinal Health leadership team," Barrett said. "Her significant experience with systems in large, complex organizations positions her perfectly to execute the long-term IT strategy Jody and her team have developed in support of our company."

Morrison earned bachelor's degrees in both mathematics and statistics and in secondary education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $91 billion, global company serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better care to patients. With a focus on making supply chains more efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market- leading technologies, including Alaris(R) IV pumps, Pyxis(R) automated dispensing and patient identification systems, MedMined(TM) electronic infection surveillance service and VIASYS(R) respiratory care products. The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide. Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 40,000 people on five continents. More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com.

SOURCE Cardinal Health, Inc.